Tubular curtain stretching device



Jan. 19, 1943. V E. R. MQRANDO 2,309,076

TUBULAR CURTAIN STRETCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 8, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l Iv 1 -5 I "a: llll 1 PNVENTOR. EM/JNLJEL 7?. MQRFJNDC Hy'wRN Y Jan. 19,1943.

E. R. MORANDO TUBULAR CURTAIN STRETCHING DEVICE Filed Dec. 8, 1941' 2she ts-sheet 2 2a 34IM'ENT0R. EMHNL/EL. R. MDEHNUU HTTORNBY PatentedJan. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TUBULAR CURTAIN STRETCHINGDEVICE Emanuel R. Mcrando, New York, N. Y.

Application December 8, 1941, Serial No. 422,110

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in curtain stretchers and hasparticular reference to those made from metallic tubing.

One of the objects of this invention, is the combination of assembledconstitutent elements of tubular sections, that are so arranged as toassure improved results in light; weight stretchers, which may bemanufactured at a reasonable cost, and which may retain its efiicientWorking qualities for a relatively long period of time. Heretofore,curtainstretchers have been constructed of separated members which wereset up into the combined frame, in which members are taken apart afteruse and. packed in a certain manner, until again set up and required foruse. Therefore, this invention provides a device by which the buildingand setting up assembly of separate members are eliminated.

. Another object of this present invention, is the telescopicallymovable assembly, in which the tubular members are closed by telescopinginto each other when not in use, and drawn out into their extendedcurtain stretching positions, thus providing a device in which time issaved by instantly drawing out coacting curtain stretching members.

Another object of this invention, isa folding easel or stand, said easelbeing fixedly connected as an integral part of thecurtain stretcher.

With the above indicated objects and advantages in view, and otherswhich will hereinafter appear, this invention resides in certain novelconstructions and arrangements of parts, the essential features of whichare herein clearly described, and fully illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view, partly fragmental, of a curtainstretcher constructed in accordance withthe present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view, partly like that of Figure 1 and brokenaway in places to show interior parts.

Figure 3 is a view on the same principle as Figure 2, but showing top orbottom tubular sections. V

Figure .4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of end tubular sectionsof Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevation of the end or side tubular sections,partly in sections.

Figure Sis a diagrammatic fragmentary view showing positions of partswhen the tubular sectionsare telescopically closed or folded.

.Figure '7 is a cross sectional view on the line 1 of Figure 1.

Figure 7a is a similar view with the hooks locked in alignment, showingthe tubular sections, as when closed or inwardly folded.

Figure 8 is a cross section on line 8'-8 of Figure 1.

Figure'9 is a fragmentary view in which end easel parts, as removed fromFigure -1 are shown.

Figur 10 is a partial end view, showing easel extended.

Figure 11 is an enlarged exploded view of the curtain hooks.

Figures 12 and 1211 show locking means forthe telescoping sections.

As shown in said drawings, the telescopically movable metal framemembers include top tubular sections H, I2, I3; bottom tubular sections2|, 22, 23; end tubular sections I4, I 5, and opposite tubular endsections 24, 25.

The section II is rigid, at its left hand end, by a connecting collar I6with the tubular section It, and the tubular section 2| is similarlyrigid, by a collar H with the tubular section l5.

The length of each tubular section may be according to requirements, forexample, the stretching length is about threev feet more or less, havingprovision for a plurality of hooks 21, 28 and 29 on the inner faces ofthe combined top sections, with corresponding hooks on the'bottomsections, and a plurality of hooks 30 and.3l on each of the combined endsections, these hooks being spaced apart at about one-half of an inch,more or less.

At one end of the members I 3 and 23, as seen in Figure 1, for example,these members find bearings in collars I8 and L9 in the respectivetubular sections 24, 25, said members being turnable about the axis ofthe combined longitudinal tubular sections, and the tubular sections [2and 22 are also turnable about said axis.

The aforesaid hooks, which are a feature of the invention, in theorganization thereof (as differing from former and present used pins)are metallically secured, as by riveting or welding at their outer endsin metal strips 20, each of which are sufiiciently deep enough for theattachments of th hooks, and are of a specific width so as to cooperatewith engaging slots of the telescopic tubes, the strips 20 being alsometallically attached to their respective tubular sections.

In order that the attaching hooks for the curtain marginal edges 0 maybe approximately aligned, for receiving such edges, the hooks 21, 28,29, 30, 3i, on their respective tubes are of different lengths, and thespecific structures may be identified on the drawing by this detail,namely: On the sections ll, 2|, with their strips 20,

are the hooks 21, on the section I2, 22 are the hooks 28, on thesections I3, 23, are the hooks 29, on the sections I4, 24 are the hooks30, and on the sections I5, 25 are the hooks 3|.

In the tubular sections H, 2I are slots 32 of suitable breadth, one slotin each section, and these slots extend from the right hand end towithin a short distance, about two inches, of the left hand end.Generally similar slots 33, although narrower, are formed in thesections I2, 22 and when it is desired to shorten or fold the frame, thesections I2, 22 are turned, so as to remove their hooks 28 from thegeneral linear positions and then these sections I2, 22 aretelescopically moved into the tubular sections of larger diameter, thestrip 28, with their hooks being in the slots 32, and there beingfurther spaces in said slots to receive the strips 26, also with theirhooks 29, of the sections I3, 23 when it is desired to entirelytelescope the frame.

In the' sections I4, 24 are slots 34 which receive the strips 20 of thesections I4, I5, 24 and 25, and it is noted (see Figures 7, 8 and 1)that the hooks 28, 29 and 30 are close to the boundaries of the slots 3233 and 34. Owing to the positions of these slots, the hooks and carriers20 slide directly into the slots, and, although it may therefore seemthat the hooks of the upper and lower end members are not truly aligned,but only substantially so, in the extended positions, it may be seen byreferring to Figures '7 and 3 that the respective hooks may be trulyaligned, in the curtain engaging positions, by suitable disposition ofsaid hooks. The drawings are to some extent exaggerated, for clarity.

Turning movement of the tubular sections concerned, and the other orretaining functions of these and other tubular sections, all as shown,is secured by the respective diiferent diameters, and by features whichinclude collar like portions 38 rigid with the top tube II, and theseand other numerically identified features on the bottom tubular sections2|, 22, 23 are structurally the same as on the top sections. Thecharacters of reference are therefore applicable to both, in each case.

On the tubular section I2 is a fixed internal collar 39, and on thetubular sections I2 and I3 are outwardly facing collars 40, M,respectively,

the intermediate and free tubular sections I2 and 22 are secured to theend sections II, I2, and I3, 23 by any desired means, as by the hooks2'5, 28 and 29 when aligned in between each other.

The bores of the outer ends of the vertical tubes may be closed by capsor plugs, not shown,

and chromium finish is suitable for the various sections, while thevarious hooks may be of any rust proof metal or material. Graduations,or inch markings, not shown, may be used in appropriate places, on therelatively movable parts, so that suitable measurements, when thecurtain dimensions are known, may be selected or determined beforehand.

Thumb nuts 43, one on each side of each upper end tube, and each nutalso alike, serve to hold the end sections in their selected or expandedor contracted positions.

On the top vertical tube or tubular members I4, 24 collars 5| cooperatewith holding collars 52, on the lower tube or tubular members, as I5.The bearings for the ends of the tubes I3, 23 are similar, and theseinclude in the member 25 (Fig. 5) a fixture of the collar I9, in which aneck 53 of the tube 23 revolves, said neck having a retaining collar, asshown.

The setting is first preferably obtained, and then the margins of thecurtains attached to the hooks, the longitudinal opposite margins beingattached first, according to one operative method.

The easel or support for retaining the curtain stretching frame in erectposition, includes like assembly on each end, having an attachment, asin a preferred embodiment, now illustrated on opposite back and frontsides of the top, end members. Said assembly and attachment viewingFigures 9 and 10, comprise an angle 44, being permanently attached at atone end of the top tube section, as I4, and a cooperating angle 45,which is metallically attached by one of its flanges to a base tube orany other suitable member 41.

At each end are supporting attachments, comprising the angle bars 44 and46, having a pivotal connection 48, and a releasable bracket rodconnection 49 with a central locking hinge 50 which is effective to lockthe tube 4'! in any desired drying position, as shown clearly in Figure10. The lock rod 49 is of well known construction, having terminalpivots as shown on the connected members.

Figures 12 and 12a show locking means for the extended telescopingsections other than by the hooks, such as by the hooks 3| slidable intothe slots 60, as shown in Figure 12, or by the pin 6I adaptable toengage the holes suitable spaced, as shown in Figure 12a.

While I have described for the sake of clearness, and in order todisclose this invention so that the same may be readily understood ingeneral terms and illustrations, I desire it to be understood that thisinvention is not limited to the specific form herein described, but maybe altered in other ways that may improve this invention, providing samecomes within the scope of the following appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is as follows:

1. A curtain stretcher, comprising a rectangular frame having tubularend sections, tubular telescopically engaged longitudinally disposedsections cooperating in attached relation with the end sections, thelongitudinal tubular sections having a tubular member of large diameterfixed at one of its respective ends to end sections, the longitudinaltubular sections having movable tubular members a first movable tubularmemher on each opposite side being engaged in the sections of largediameter, second members of the movable tubes having ends journalled inthe second tubular member, said second tubular members having theirother ends journalled in the opposite end frame sections, saidrelatively large sections and said first sections having longitudinalslots therein, said longitudinal sections having on their inner facebooks, the latter being of different length on each tube section, saidhooks being aligned with said slots, whereby as from an erect orextended position, the first and second revolvable tubular members maybe partly turned to align or disengage the hook shanks with each other,so that said frame sections may then be longitudinally extended for thecurtain stretching operation, or moved inwardly for their closedtelescoped positions when not in use.

2. In a curtain stretching device of the char acter described,comprising a rectangular frame having tubular telescoping sections, saidtubular sections having hooks on the inner portion of said frame, thelarger telescoping tubular sections having a slot about the full length,whereby the smaller size tubular sections with their hooks may beslidable within the larger size tubular sections, and means to suitablylock said tubular sections in their adjusted and extended positions forthe stretching of a curtain secured onto said hooks therewith.

3. In a curtain stretching device of the character described, comprisinga rectangular frame having tubular end sections, tubular telescopicallyengaged longitudinally disposed sections 00- operating in attachedrelation with the end sections, the longitudinal tubular sections havinga tubular member of larger diameter fixed at one of its respective endsto the end sections, the 1ongitudinal tubular sections having movabletubular members, a firstmovable tubular member on each opposite sidebeing engaged in the sections of the larger diameter, second movabletubular members having their ends joumaled in the opposite end framesections, said relative larger size sections and said first sectionshaving longitudinal slots therein, said longitudinal sections havinghooks on the inner face thereof, said hooks being of difierent lengthson each of said sections, said hooks and their shank portions beingaligned with said slots, whereby as from an erect or extended position,the first and second movable members may be partly turned to align ordisengage the shank portions of hooks with each other, so that saidframe sections may then be longitudinally extended for the curtainstretching operation, or moved inwardly for their closed telescopedposition when not in use.

4. In a stretching device of the character described, comprising endtubular sections telescopically engaged, relatively movable tubularsections connecting the end sections, the larger size tubular sectionshaving longitudinal slots therein extending from the free ends thereof,said sections having hooks on the inner face and adjacent said slots,the smaller end tubular sections having only the hooks thereon, saidhooks of the smaller size tubular members adapted to have their shanksengage and be aligned in said slots, means to secure said sections intheir telescoped and extended positions, whereby said hooks may stretchany suitable curtain or the like.

EMANUEL R. MORANDO.

